Ordering Recommendation

Recommended for routine testing for lead exposure. For occupational exposure, consider Lead, Industrial, Whole Blood (0025016).

New York DOH Approval Status

This test is New York state approved.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation
Collect

Royal blue (K2EDTA), Royal blue (NaHep), or tan (K2EDTA).

Specimen Preparation

Transport 3 or 6 mL whole blood in the original collection tube (royal blue). (Min: 0.5 mL) OR Transport 3 mL whole blood in the original collection tube (tan). (Min: 0.5 mL)

Storage/Transport Temperature

Room temperature. Also acceptable: Refrigerated.

Unacceptable Conditions

Serum. Specimens collected in tubes other than royal blue (K2EDTA), royal blue (NaHep), or tan (K2EDTA). Clotted specimens. Capillary pediatric EDTA collection tubes, refer to Lead, Whole Blood (Capillary) 0020745.

Remarks
Stability

Ambient: Indefinitely; Refrigerated: Indefinitely; Frozen: Unacceptable

Methodology

Quantitative Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)

Performed

Sun-Sat

Reported

1-3 days

Reference Interval

Effective July 21, 2025

Test Number
Components
Reference Interval
  Lead, Whole Blood (Venous) Less than or equal to 3.4 µg/dL

Interpretive Data

Reference intervals are based on the CDC's Blood Lead Reference Value (BLRV). Thresholds and time intervals for retesting, medical evaluation, and response vary by state and regulatory body. Contact your State Department of Health and/or applicable regulatory agency for specific guidance on medical management recommendations.

Elevated results may be due to skin- or collection-related contamination, including the use of tubes that are not certified to be trace element free. If an elevated result is suspected to be due to contamination, confirmation with a second specimen collected in a certified trace element-free tube is recommended.

Methodology: Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Compliance Category

Laboratory Developed Test (LDT)

Note

Hotline History

N/A

CPT Codes

83655

Components

Component Test Code* Component Chart Name LOINC
0020098 Lead, Whole Blood (Venous) 77307-7
* Component test codes cannot be used to order tests. The information provided here is not sufficient for interface builds; for a complete test mix, please click the sidebar link to access the Interface Map.

Aliases

  • Pb
  • Lead (Adult)
  • BLL
  • Venous blood level
  • Pb, Blood
  • Pb, Whole Blood
Lead, Whole Blood (Venous)